Environmental Soil Biology

Environmental considerations are playing an increasingly important role in determining management strategies for soil and land. Many important environmental issues involve aspects of the biology of soil, and these issues cannot be considered satisfactorily in isolation from a general understanding of soil biology as a whole. This is the second edition of a book first published in 1989 and now thoroughly rewritten to focus on soil ecology and environmental issues. The first part of the book provides an introduction to soils, its inhabitants, and their activities. The second part covers the influence of man on the natural cycles of soil. Topics such as acid rain and nitrogen fertilizers are considered alongside pesticides and genetically modified organisms. A new final chapter has been added which considers how, as we move towards the next millennium, we can apply the concept of sustainability to issues such as global climate change and farming systems. The book is directed at advanced undergraduate and immediate postgraduate students in environmental science and soil ecology, with students of physical geography and earth sciences as an important secondary market.

Completely revised and updated, incorporating almost a decade's worth of developments in this field, Environmental Soil Science, Third Edition, explores the entire reach of the subject, beginning with soil properties and reactions and moving on to their relationship to environmental properties and reactions. Keeping the organization and writing sty

There is currently great interest in the biology of soil, stimulated by an increased concern to conserve natural resources, not only in agriculture but also in natural ecosystems. Recent developments in molecular biology have increased the possibilities of manipulating soil organisms and the processes they carry out, to improve food production and the quality of the environment. But important environmental questions associated with the application ofthis new biotechnology to soils are still to be resolved. Issues such as the desirability of using genetically-engineered microorganisms in soil can be discussed sensibly only in the light of an understanding of naturally-occurring organisms in soil. Although on a global basis food production continues to increase, man's current relationship with the soil in many parts ofthe world is characterised by decreasing soil fertility and increasing population pressure. Soil Science has an important role to play in the future, helping to solve these problems. Although not all areas of this large and expanding subject are covered in this book, I hope that I have been able to present the principles of soil biology in such a way that will interest the reader.

Based on the “International Symposium of Molecular Environmental Soil Science at the Interfaces in the Earth’s Critical Zone,” this book focuses on the Critical Zone supporting life at the Earth’s surface with emphasis on the new and emerging subject area of molecular environmental soil science. Advances in research methodology, the use of synchrotron radiation in particular, are extensively reviewed. Roles of microbes, biomolecules, and environmental nanoparticles in mineral transformations, metal cycling, degradation of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds are also extensively reviewed. It is unique in terms of facilitating the integration of contributions from traditionally separate disciplines and adding a molecular and nanoparticle (therefore chemical) dimension to a field of endeavour that has traditionally been viewed on a different scale (dimension). It will also contribute to identifying knowledge gaps, providing future research directions and promoting research and education at the molecular level in this extremely important and challenging area of science for years to come. The IUPAC Project Committee noted that the Conference identifies, and builds on, the need to view and understand the Critical Zone at the molecular level. The book will be an invaluable reference for research and education.

Describes the organisms inhabiting the soil, their functions and interactions and the dimensions of human impact on the activity of soil organisms and soil ecological function; and discusses basic soil characteristics and biogeochemical cycling, key soil flora and fauna, community-level dynamics (soil food webs) and the ecological and pedological functions of soil organisms. Also conveys an understanding of how human activities impact upon soil ecology in a section on ecosystem management and its effects on soil biota.

Environmental Soil Science presents the fundamental concepts of soil science and applies them to environmentally significant reactions in soil. Chapters cover basic information on soil and soil productivity, soil conditions and environmental plant growth, plant nutrients and soil reaction, soil plant- water relationship, and soil-plant water.

This book provides an introduction to soils, its inhabitants, and their activities. It discusses the influence of man on the natural cycles of soil and the effects of acid rain and nitrogen fertilizers.

Soil Ecology is an exciting textbook for all those concerned with the environment. The author meets the increasing challenge faced by environmental scientists, ecologists, agriculturalists and biotechnologists for an integrated approach to soil ecology. Intellectually enticing and yet eminently readable, the book sets out both fundamental theory and principle to give the reader a thorough grounding in soil ecology. The author emphasises the interrelations between plants, animals and microbes. The fundamental physical and chemical properties of the soil habitat are clearly set out, enabling the reader to explore and understand the processes of soil nutrient cycling and the ecology of extreme soil environments. The book will appeal to advanced undergraduates and graduates in environmental science, plant science, ecology, microbiology and agriculture.